UC Santa Cruz

Beautifully renovated dining hall with bay views and the go-to spot for late night and weekend dining on the west side.

The largest dining hall on campus, in the redwoods near the academic core, with the University Center Cafe upstairs.

On the hill above the East Field with a view of Monterey Bay and outdoor patio seating.

Serves the east side of campus and is known for its 20-foot salad bar.

Serves the west side of campus from a hilltop with a spacious outdoor patio and sweeping bay views.

Free, student-run cafe near the Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall, part of UCSC Basic Needs.

Cozy cafe at Oakes College serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday 10 am-9 pm.

Kresge College's cafe with grab-and-go sushi, sandwiches, salads, wraps, bagels and pastries, plus espresso, smoothies and boba.

Cafe upstairs from the College Nine/John R.

A campus favorite since 1975 at Stevenson College, with a redwood-ringed patio, espresso drinks, salads, sandwiches and its famous fudgies.

Late-night cafe at Crown College serving burgers, fries, pizza and other student favorites, Monday-Friday 8-11 PM.

Cafe in the McHenry Library lobby with 100% organic coffee and teas and a full food menu to fuel a study session. Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm.

Market next to the Porter/Kresge Dining Hall with grab-and-go meals, snacks, smoothies, made-to-order organic espresso, groceries and convenience…

Market on the Merrill College plaza with grab-and-go meals, snacks, bottled drinks, smoothies, organic coffee, groceries and convenience items.

Three coffee bars in the lobbies of Baskin Engineering, Earth and Marine Sciences, and the Physical Sciences Building on Science Hill, with organic…

North-side college beside a nature preserve with hiking trails, home of the International Living Center (ILC).

Northeast-side college with cobbled courtyards and red-tiled roofs, eight residence halls around two open quads, and apartments (4 to 6 students…

Below-market, year-round apartments for UCSC students (undergraduate or graduate) living with a spouse or partner or with children, plus on-site…

Furnished apartments for graduate students next to Science Hill, close to many academic buildings.

North-side college next to the Social Sciences buildings and a campus nature preserve, close to both classes and forest trails.

Northwest-corner college nestled in redwoods, with new residence halls (spacious lounges) and apartments for continuing students.

Hilltop college in the northeast corner of campus, surrounded by redwoods.

West-side college overlooking Monterey Bay, bringing together students from every discipline around a strong community.

New for 2026-27: university apartments for upper-division undergrads near Delaware Avenue and Swift Street on the Westside of Santa Cruz, off campus.

West-side college with a strong arts identity: home of the Arts Division, the Sesnon Gallery, colorful murals, Porterpalooza and the Porter Meadows.

West-side college on a sunny terraced hillside with bay views, focused on environmental and social justice.

Apartment community between Porter and Kresge on the west side of campus.

Residential college near the center of campus, next to Cowell, ringed by redwoods with a coffee house patio, the Stevenson Library, a community…

The central office for housing and dining charges, payment plans, meal plans and housing contract records.

UCSC's main housing option for incoming transfer students, of any college affiliation, in Porter College's A and B residence halls.

Porter, Kresge, Oakes and Rachel Carson make up the west side of campus, with redwoods and bay views; College Nine and John R.

Cowell and Stevenson sit near the center of campus above the East Field, and Crown and Merrill are on the northeast side.

Shared single-story residence houses in the Lower Quarry on the east side of campus, next to the UCSC Farm and Garden.

University apartments in downtown Santa Cruz at Pacific Avenue and Cathcart Street, off campus.

UCSC's founding college (1965), on a hill at the heart of campus with sweeping Monterey Bay views.

Free, wheelchair-accessible van rides around campus for students, employees and visitors who cannot use regular shuttles because of a temporary or…

Free evening rides from one spot on the residential campus to another for anyone who feels unsafe, 7 PM-midnight, seven days a week while classes are…

Free campus shuttles for everyone, tracked live in the flexigo app (sign in with your UCSC email, choose Circulator Services).

Local buses are free for UCSC students: show a valid student ID with the current quarter sticker (stickers come from your college or housing office).

Skip the climb: on weekday mornings a TAPS shuttle with a bike trailer carries you and your bike from the CVS at Mission and Olive streets up to…

Santa Cruz Metro's commuter bus over the hill to Scotts Valley and San Jose Diridon Station.

TAPS runs campus shuttles, parking, bike programs and Safe Ride.

Student-run bike cooperative in Quarry Plaza with low-cost bike repairs, parts, tools, and mechanics.